gustavson



2 Sheets-Sheet l EC ND CHOISE VOTE WHOM SENATOR FlRi T CHOISE Yo? I:roll ON I:

A. N. GUSTAVSON VOTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1958 SECOND CHOISE- VOTEFOFONE GOVERNOR FIRSTCHOISE VOTE FOR ONE Sept. 9, 1941.

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Sept. 9, 1941. A. N. GUSTAVSON VOTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-5 a n/uc Mot (7/027? W C a /412x072 FIE-7 PatentedSept. 9, 1941 FIE V0 TING MACHINE.

Alvin N. Gustavson, Jamestown, N. Y., assignor to Automatic VotingMachine Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application August 2,1938, Serial No. 222,641

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in voting machines andparticularly to the provision of an auxiliary interlocking mechanismthat is adapted to effect a prescribed manner of balloting.

In certain districts special election laws are in force that necessitatethe provision of an auxiliary mechanism for use in connection with avoting machine. In some instances, and particularly in primaryelections, it is required that where there are more than two candidatesaspiring to nomination to a given olhce, a voter must indicate his firstchoice of a candidate for this cities and may then, at his option,indicate a second choice. Election laws of this nature serve to providea second choice candidate for a given ofiice in the event a first choicecandidate fails to be nominated, withdraws after nomination, or dies.

The present invention has been developed for the purpose of adapting avoting machine for use in primary elections or in other electionswherein the voter is required by law to indicate the order of his choiceof a group of candidates aspiring to nomination or election to a givenoilice. The device, in the present disclosure, takes the form of aninterlock that is attached to or located adjacent the main interlockingmechanism of a Voting machine. Suitable auxiliary interlocking strapsare connected with the main interlocking straps of a given group ofcandidates and in turn are joined to the auxiliary interlock. Thoseindicators on the face of the voting machine that are representative ofa group of candidates aspiring to nomination or election to a givenofdce can only be manipulated in accordance with the limitations andarrangement set up through the use of the auxiliary interlock.

One of the objects of the invention lies in the provision of means on avoting machine by which to cause a prescribed manner of balloting.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of means on avoting machine which requires a voter to select a first choice candidatefor a given ofiice prior to making a second choice selection.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of means on avoting machine in the form of an auxiliary interlocking device, that isoperably connected with any desired portion of a main interlockingmechanism, for the purpose of requiring a voter to make a first choicefor a candidate to a given ofiice when there are more than twocandidates aspiring to nomination to this office.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be morefully understood from a consideration of the following specificationtaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a group of voting indicatorsadapted to be operated in the manner of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational View of an auxiliary interlocking devicelocated adjacent the main interlocking mechanism of a voting machine;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the auxiliary interlocking device shown in Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the auxiliary interlocking device shown inFigs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the auxiliary device, certain partsthereof bein moved to position of use;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sec.ional View of the auxiliary device showingthe method of assembly; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the auxiliary device.

Reference is now had to the drawings in which Figure 1 discloses aportion of the keyboard of a voting machine, being generally indicatedby the reference numeral l9. The keyboard includes a number ofhorizontally arranged rows of indicators l l, designated as A, B, and C.Beneath each of the rows, A, B, and C, is a candidate label holder l2.Each of the indicators l l is connected with a main interlockingmechanism 13 of the voting machine by straps hi. The main interlockingmechanism I3 is similar to a structure indicated by the numeral E2 inapplicants Patent 1,948,661, and includes a channel-like structure l5,between the side Walls of which is located a plurality of laterallymovable rollers. In accordance with common practice, the lower end ofeach strap It is enlarged and is located, when the machine is in neutralposition, beneath the rollers of the interlock l3. When one of theindicators I I on the face of the machine is moved downwardly intovoting position, the corresponding interlocking strap M is raised, theenlarged rollers.

55 attached to the main interlocking mechanism 13.

nates in a shoulder 43.

A support l8, having an upright flange 19 and a slightly bowedhorizontal flange 2|, serves to mount certain of the elements of thedevice. Secured to the outer face of the wall 19 of the support I8 arelugs 22. These lugs are formed with upwardly opening slots 23 that areadapted to interfit with the lower edge of one of the walls of thechannel of the main interlocking mechanism I3. A spring-like plate 24 isjoined at one end to the underface of flange 2i and is formed with adownwardly curved portion 26 that terminates in an end portion 21, alsolying against the flange. To mount the device, plate 24 is compressedagainst the base wall 23 of the voting machine for the purpose ofpermitting lugs 22 to move into place beneath one of the walls of thestructure 13, the slots 23 at such time being aligned with said wall.Upon being released the plate 24 causes said device to move upwardly andthe slots 23 to interfit the lower edge of the channel wall of the maininterlock. In this manner, the auxiliary interlocking device may befirmly secured at any given place along the main interlocking mechanism.

It is to be understood that the various parts of the mechanism of theauxiliary interlocking device I? may be increased or decreased in numberas may be found necessary to adapt it for use under voting conditionswherein a greater or lesser number of candidates are up for nominationor election to a given oifice, and also where there is more than oneoflice group. In the present disclosure, the device Il may accommodatethree office groups. Two of these groups are shown connected with thevoting machine for the purpose of controlling balloting for governor andsenator. For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that there arethree candidates up for nomination to the ofiice of governor and threecandidates up for nomination to the ofiice of senator and the voter mustcast a first choice ballot for one of the three candidates listed undereach of these ofiices. A voter may select another candidate in eachoffice group as second choice but it is to be borne in mind that he mustcast a first choice ballot whether or not he casts a second choiceballot.

Mounted on the support l8 that forms part of the interlocking device I!are a number of plates 29. The flange 2! with which the plates 29 areassociated is formed with closed parallel slots 30. Corresponding endsof these slots are slightly enlarged to receive lugs 3! that are formedintegral with or secured to the lower edge of each of the plates 29.When the lugs 3! have been projected through the enlarged ends ofopenings 30, the plates are moved along the surface of the flange 2!toward the upright or vertical flange l9, being held against verticaldisplacement' in the support by the lugs 3|.

The flange E9 of the support I8 is the equivalent of one of the plates29 and is formed with a plurality of upwardly opening slots 32. Againstone face of this flange is located a bar 33 having a pair ofhorizontally disposed slots 34. Suitable pins 31 secured to the flangeproject through the slots 34 in the bar 33 and serve to mount this barfor horizontal movement longitudinally of the flange. Projectingupwardly from the body portion 38 of the bar are arms 39. These arms areformed with horizontal projections M the upper edges of which are flushwith the upper edge of the flange l9. Each of the projections Al isformed with an inclined surface 42 that termi- The arms of the bar areso arranged that when said bar is in one extreme position (see Fig. 5),the vertical edge of each projection is substantially in alignment withone wall of the slot 32 of the flange 19. When the bar is moved to itsother extreme position (see Fig. 2), each of the slots 32 is closed bythe shoulder 3.

The purpose of the movable bars 33, by which to open or close slots 32,will be hereinafter more fully disclosed. Adjacent one end of the flangei9 and secured thereto by a suitable pivot is a bell crank 4 havingarms45 and d5. Arm 45 is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 47 intowhich a pin 48, mounted on bar 33, projects. Arm 46 of the bell crank isprovided with a lug 49 having a T-shaped end.

Because of the fact that flange l9, besides forming a wall of thesupport [8, is identical with the plates 29, it is to be understood thateach of these plates is formed with upwardly opening slots, ahorizontally adjustable bar, and bell crank, and that these elements aredesignated by the reference numerals applied to their counterpart on theflange l9. In order that the plates 29 may have proper clearness foradjustment of the bars 33, a spacer member 5| is located on the oppositeside of the plate to that of the bar. When plates 29 have been assembledon the flange 2! of the support it, a blank plate '52 is positioned onthe support. This plate includes a spacer 53. Wedges 54 are projecteddownwardly through the slots ill and serve to secure the plates 29 andblank .plate 52 against displacement.

It is to be notedthat the two innermost plates are so positioned on thesupport that the slots 35 thereof, bars 33, and bell cranks M aresubstantially in alignment with the corresponding elements on the flangeI8; also that there is a second group of three plates longitudinally01'1"- set from the plates adjacent the flange H9 in which the slots 32,bars 33, and bell cranks 44 are in alignment. A third group of threeplates 29 is further longitudinally offset. Thus viewing the interlockin Fig. 2 it is possible to discern three groups, each including threebars 33 and bell cranks a l.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, the slots 32, in eachplate 29, are designated, commencing adjacent the bell crank 44, as I,2, 3, 4, and 5. The three outermost plates 29 (see Fig. 3) aredesignated as A, B, and C and will be understood to have relationship torows A, B and C of indicators on the face of the voting machine. Theauxiliary interlock is mechanically connected with certain of the maininterlocking straps of the voting machine through a set of auxiliarystraps 55. These auxiliary straps are each provided at one end with asuitable connector 5'? that is joined to a projection 58 on the mainstrap M. The other end of each auxiliary strap is formed with a pin 59or a short transverse slot Ell.

It will be noted that in the row of indicators designated as A, three ofthese indicators are in the oifice group for governor and operable toindicate ballots for candidates X, Y and Z. In this row of indicatorscandidate X is listed as first choice and candidates Y and Z asalternative second choice. Referring to the diagrammatic connectionsshown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be observed that the maininterlocking strap i4, operable by the indicator for candidate X in rowA, is connected with arm 46 of bell crank 44 mounted on plate 29, alsodesignated as A.

Connection between this auxiliary strap and bell crank is had throughthe interfitting of lug 49 with slot 63. Another main interlocking strap[4 is operable by the indicator provided for second choice candidate Yin row A and is connected with the auxiliary interlock through anotherauxiliary strap 55 by projecting pin 59 thereof into slot 32 designatedas I. Similarly, another auxiliary strap connects the auxiliaryinterlock with a main interlocking strap operable by the indicator forsecond choice candidate Z in row A. Inasmuch as the present illustrationshows only three candidates aspiring to nomination for the oflice ofgovernor, the remainder of the mech anism of plate 29, designated as A,is not utilized. It is apparent however that, since there are three moreslots 32, designated as 3, l, and 5, the device is adaptable for useunder conditions wherein there may be as many as five candidates fromwhich to select a second choice.

When the bar 33 occupies the position shown in the indicators H'occupythe position of Fig. 1. t is assumed that a voter wishes to cast ballotfor candidate X as first choice and candidate Z as second choice. Theindicator for candidate X must be actuated first since a voter isrequired to indicate his first choice before indicating a second choice.Thus the indicator for candidate X will be moved downwardly into votingposition. This movement causes one of the main interlockin straps M tobe elevated, carrying with it the auxiliary strap 58 that is connectedwith the bell crank 44 on plate 29-A. Movement of the auxiliary strap 53rotates the bell crank from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that of Fig.5. This movement of the bell crank causes bar 33 to move laterally tothe left and withdraws the projections 4| of arms 39 from slots 32. Theauxiliary strap 55 connected with candidate indi ator Z has up to thispoint been prevented movement because of the fact that the pin 59thereof could not move upwardly of the slot 32 until the shoulder 43 hadbeen withdrawn. However, since a ballot has already been cast for firstchoice candidate X, slots 32 are open and the indicator H for candidateZ may be moved to voting position (see Fig. 5). It is not the purpose ofthe present invention to prevent a voter from indicating several secondchoice candidates but the main interlocking mechanism of the votingmachine is so arranged that only two main interlocking straps M of thisofiice group may be actuated. The mechanism by which this isaccomplished is old and well known in the art and is believed to need nofurther reference.

In the above illustration, it was assumed that a voter wished to cast afirst choice ballot for candidate X. It may be, however, that candidateY is preferred as first choice and either of candidates X or Z as secondchoice. Under these circumstances the voter will confine his ballotingto the row of indicators designated as B. Herein manipulation of theindicator for candidate Y under first choice actuates, through straps I4and 56, the bell crank 44 mounted on plate 29 designated as B. Movementof the shell crank adjusts the bar on plate 29-3 so that a second choiceof either Z or X may be made. Similarly, candidate Z may be voted asfirst choice and X or Y as second choice by confining balloting to theindicators in row C, and plate 29-C controls this situation.

Attention is now directed to the fact that adjacent the ofiice group forgovernor is an ofiice group for senator and three candidates, R, S, andT, are up for nomination as first or second choice. It will be recalledthat the plates 29 are arranged in groups of three and that A, B, and Chave been described as controlling selective balloting for candidates X,Y, and Z in the office group for governor. The next three adjacentplates 29, namely, D, E, and F, are similarly connected with theindicators in rows A, B, and C that relate to candidates R, S, and T.Connection of the indicators for this office group with plates D, E, andF and control through the main interlocking mechanism is identical withthat above described in connection with the oifice group for governor.

It is apparent that the auxiliary device under the present set-up iscapable of accommodating a first and second choice ballot for a thirdoffice group wherein there are three candidates up for nomination, sincethere remain plates 29, designated as G and H, and a correspondingstructure on flange 19 of the support l8.

To illustrate the adaptability of the present invention to controlballoting with more than three candidates, under conditions where afirst and second choice is to be made, it may be assumed that there arefour candidates up for nomination in the oflice group for governor.Under these circumstances four horizontal rows of indicators would beutilized in order that each of the four candidates may receive a firstchoice ballot, and four plates 29, namely, A, B, C, and D, would beconnected with the oifice group for governor. The auxiliary interlockingstraps 53 would be connected with the plates and with the maininterlocking straps in the manner described above.

It is necessary that a voter be enabled to change his ballot, prior tothe ballots being recorded, by raising the indicators already selectedand actuating any other two indicators he desires for first and secondchoice. An election law, in a district in which a device of this natureis usein] in connection with a voting machine, requires that when amistake has been made in designating a candidate as first choice and thefirst choice has been withdrawn, the second choice must also bewithdrawn and a complete new ballot indicated for the desired candidatesin a given ofiice group. The present invention conforms to thisrequirement through the provision of inclined surfaces 42 on projections4|. Referring to the method of balloting in the office group forgovernor and to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that when theindicator for candidate X in row A is returned to non-voting positionthe auxiliary strap 56 moves bell crank 44 downwardly to assume theposition shown in Fig. 2 and bar 33 is moved laterally to close slots32. Movement of the bar in this direction causes the inclined surface 42to move over the upper edge of pin 59, depressing said pin and theauxiliary strap on which it is mounted. This downward movement of theauxiliary strap is in turn transmitted through a main interlocking strapI 4 to the second choice indicator that had previously been voted, thusreturning it to non-voting position.

Although applicant has shown and described only one form of an auxiliaryinterlocking device for use in conjunction with a voting machine thatrequires a voter to comply with certain election laws, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the device may be modifiedby increasing the number and rearrangement of parts thereof toaccommodate a greater or lesser number of candidates in given ofificegroups, and this and other changes are therefore contemplated insofar asthey are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in thehereunto annexed claims.

iaving thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which Idesire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In a voting machine having interlocking straps connected with votingindicators representative of an office group, an interlocking mechanismfor controlling actuation of certain of said indicators comprising asup-porting structure, a slotted plate on said structure, a memberjoined to said plate, an auxiliary strap connecting said member with oneof said interlocking straps, further auxiliary straps connected at oneend with other of said interlocking straps, said further strapsprojecting into the slots of said plate and being movable with respectthereto, means on said member engageable with said further straps andoperable by said auxiliary strap to move said further auxiliary strapsinto and secure them in non-voting position.

2. In a voting machine having interlocking straps connected with votingindicators representative of an oiiice group, an interlocking mechanismfor controlling actuation of certain of said indicators comprising asupporting structure, a plate fixed to said structure, said plate havinga plurality of upwardly opening slots, a member joined to said plate, anauxiliary strap connecting said member with one of said interlockingstraps, further auxiliary straps connect- 1' ed at one end with other ofsaid interlocking straps, said further straps having portions engagedwith said slots, said member normally closing said slots and beingwithdrawable therefrom to permit movement of any of said furtherauxiliary straps.

3. In a voting machine having interlocking straps connected with votingindicators representative of an oflice group, an interlocking mechanismfor controlling actuation of certain of said indicators comprising asupporting structure, a plurality of parallel proximate plates mountedon said structure, the number of plates corresponding to the rows ofindicators in said oiiice group, each of said plates having a pluralityof upwardly opening slots, a member on each plate movable to open orclose said slots, an auxiliary strap for each of said members connect.ed through said interlocking straps with a first choice candidateindicator in said oiiice group, further auxiliary straps connected atOne end with other of said interlocking straps, lugs on said furtherstraps engaged with said slots and means on each member engageable withsaid lugs and adapted to move said further auxiliary straps tonon-voting position when the auxiliary strap connected with a givenmember has been moved by manipulation of a first choice candidateindicator.

4. In a voting machine having interlocking straps connected with votingindicators representative of first and second choice candidates in anoiiice group, an interlocking mechanism for controlling actuation ofcertain of said indicators comprising a plate having upwardly openingslots, a member mounted on said plate, laterally projecting arms on saidmember, said member being movable to project said arms across and closesaid slots, an auxiliary strap connected through an interlocking strapwith the indicator representative of a first choice candidate in saidoflice group, a bell crank on said support connected with said memberand said auxiilary strap, further auxiliary straps connected throughcertain other of said interlocking straps with indicators representativeof second choice candidates in said office group, said further auxiliarystraps having end portions engaged with said slots, the first choicecandidate indicator, when actuated, movin said member to withdraw saidarms from said slots and permit movement of any of said furtherauxiliary straps by manipulation of a second choice candidate indicator.

5. In a voting machine having voting indicators representative of anoffice group, and a strap for each of said indicators movable to anactuated position, an interlock for controlling actuation of saidstraps, said interlock including means confining certain of said strapsto movement in a given path, an adjustable member carried by saidinterlock, another of said straps being connected with and adapted toadjust said member into holding contact with said certain straps andthereby prevent movement of any of said certain straps.

ALVIN N. GUSTAVSON.

